Anthony Joshua's British battle with Tyson Fury can be made this year, says Eddie Hearn

Anthony Joshua's British heavyweight battle with Tyson Fury can be made before the end of 2018, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

Fury has again called for a blockbuster bout with Joshua, even texting his rival over the weekend, and Hearn revealed that he talked with the former world champion on Wednesday morning.

A deal has almost been finalised for Joshua to face Joseph Parker in his next fight, with three world titles at stake in a unification clash, but Fury could be a potential opponent for this summer at the earliest.

"I spoke to Tyson Fury this morning," Hearn told Sky Sports News. "He even got in contact with Anthony Joshua at the weekend, so we're all talking.

"Let me tell you, that's a fight that we would sit down now and make for 2018.

We are prepared to sit down and make that fight now with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is as well, because he called me straight after Tyson was texting him the other day.

"I've already seen that he wants 60-40, Tyson Fury, which is not quite the idea that we have, but we are up for making the Tyson Fury fight.

"It won't be next, because we know what we're trying to do next. We're trying to clean up the division and win all the belts, but if it has to be the one after in the summer or have to be after that.

"We are prepared to sit down and make that fight now with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is as well, because he called me straight after Tyson was texting him the other day."

Fury has confirmed he will reapply for his boxing licence, although the British Boxing Board of Control are yet to be contacted by the 29-year-old, who is hoping to make his comeback in April.

Hearn wants Fury to firstly make a 'massive return' to the sport and then turn his attention to a fight with Joshua.

"Realistically, Tyson talks about getting in the ring in April, fighting Joshua. That's not going to happen," said Hearn.

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"We can't base our career on a guy that still has what six or seven stone to lose and doesn't have a British Boxing Board of Control licence, that hasn't boxed for two years.

"We're desperate to see him back. We'll even give him a fight. It will be a massive return, but we are prepared to make the Tyson Fury fight for the summer or for the winter of 2018, unquestionably, but let's see him back.

"You do not want to go in the ring with Anthony Joshua, having been out of the sport for two-and-a-half years, especially in the physical condition he's in at the moment.

"Tyson Fury is a great fighter, it's a tough fight for Anthony Joshua, but it's one we want, it's the one the British public want, and we will make that fight."